Justice Minister Repaid Dinner Expense From Liberal Fundraiser

OTTAWA — Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould reimbursed the public purse for a meal the night she was in Toronto for a Liberal party fundraiser at a private law firm.

CTV News reported Wilson-Raybould had billed her department for three meals and incidentals on April 7, the same day she was the star attraction at an invitation-only Liberal party fundraiser at the Toronto office of Torys LLP, a prominent international business law firm.

The Conservatives at the time accused the Liberals of offering the lawyers access to the attorney general in exchange for donations, but Wilson-Raybould said she had attended the event in her role as a Member of Parliament, not as justice minister.

Her press secretary, Valerie Gervais, says that while per diems for breakfast and lunch had been properly claimed for work Wilson-Raybould was doing as minister in Ottawa that day, $44 for dinner was claimed in error.

Gervais says Wilson-Raybould repaid the money as soon as her office discovered the mistake during a regular review.

The Liberal party said in April that federal conflict of interest and ethics commissioner Mary Dawson had cleared Wilson-Raybould's appearance at the fundraiser ahead of time.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is welcomed by United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon as Foreign Affairs Minister Stephane Dion looks on at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Wednesday March 16, 2016.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shakes hands with United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Wednesday March 16, 2016.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is seen on stage after making an announcement at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Wednesday March 16, 2016.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses with a woman for a photo after making remarks as he arrives at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Wednesday March 16, 2016.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waves as he wraps up his remarks during an event at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Wednesday March 16, 2016.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks during a meeting on gender equality at United Nations headquarters on Wednesday, March 16.

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